GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
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April 1st, 2022
This Week in Illinois
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Session Update
The House and Senate both returned to Springfield on Monday for another busy week of session. Today, April 1st, is the third reading deadline in both the House and the Senate for bills originating in the opposite chamber. This has led to a busy week of floor action.
Originally, both the House and Senate were scheduled to be in session every day until April 8th adjournment. However, the House has canceled action for tomorrow, April 2nd and will return on Sunday, April 3rd at 4 pm. The Senate will return on Monday, April 4th at 3 pm.
View the Senate Committee schedule for next week here. View the House committee schedule here. Rail report subscribers will continue to get daily updates.
New Amendments Filed:
Late this afternoon eight tax-related amendments were filed to a shell bill, SB 1150, originally sponsored by Senate President Harmon. This bill is on 3rd reading in the Senate.
Each of the amendments can be found here. SFA 1 was filed by Senator Bennett, SFA 2 and SFA 3 was filed by Senator Sims. SFA 4 was filed by Senator Gillespie. SFA 5 was filed by Senator Hastings. SFA 6 was filed by Senator Aquino. SFA 7 was filed by Senator Holmes. SFA 8 was filed by Senator Belt.
For more information on these proposals and membership in the Chamber Tax Institute, contact Executive Director Keith Staats at kstaats@ilchamber.org
Chamber Cybersecurity Seminar Recap
On Wednesday, March 30th the Illinois Chamber membership received a cybersecurity briefing from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI. The event was co-hosted by the Illinois Chamber and US Representative Lauren Underwood and nearly 100 members of the Illinois business community were in attendance. As to the purpose of the briefing, Representative Underwood said that cyberattacks on US businesses from Russian actors may be imminent.
CISA Regional Director Alex Joves encouraged attendees to take basic steps to ensure their business’ readiness like accepting automatic updates on their electronic devices. This also includes reducing the likelihood a cyber intrusion by implementing Multi factor authorization. Joves also said that businesses should test their cyberattack response plan within their organization. Meaning, how would the business respond to a mock cyberattack.
FBI Special Agent Brelsford spoke on how the FBI has placed the highest priority on stopping cyberthreats. Brelsford outlined current cyber adversaries of businesses and their motivations, whether it be state-sponsored cyber-attackers, hackers with financial motivation or “insider threats” like a disgruntled former employee.
If one can derive a major theme from this presentation it is this: Know that a cyberthreat could present itself at any time and be damaging for your organization if executed. Businesses should be alert and actively follow the cybersecurity best practices within their organization.
The Chamber is thankful for the work of CISA and the FBI and their prompt attention to the security needs of those in the private sector. We also thank Representative Underwood for initiating this needed briefing.
News coverage of the event is here.
You can view the presentation in full here.
View the Presenter slides here and here.
View an important factsheet on the InfraGard program here and a fact sheet on ransomware here.
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Bills of Interest with Action this Week:
HB 1208, Workers Comp passed out of the Senate by a vote of 45-6-0. This bill amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Replaces language regarding the qualifications of Commissioners of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission with language requiring each Commissioner appointed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act to be authorized to practice law in this State. Provides that the performance of arbitrators shall be reviewed by the Chairman every other year, or more often at the discretion of the Chairman (rather than on an annual basis). Provides that no arbitrator shall hear cases in any county, other than Cook County, for more than 4 years consecutively (rather than 2 years in each 3-year term). Provides for the dissolution of the Self-Insurers Administration Fund and for the transfer of the moneys in that fund to the Self-Insurers Security Fund. Authorizes expenditures from the Self-Insurers Security Fund for the purposes that were authorized for the Self-Insurers Administration Fund. Provides that on the effective date of the amendatory Act, or as soon thereafter as practical, the State Comptroller shall direct and the State Treasurer shall transfer the remaining balance from the Self-Insurers Administration Fund into the Self-Insurers Security Fund. Provides that upon completion of the transfers, the Self-Insurers Administration Fund is dissolved, and any future deposits due to the Self-Insurers Administration Fund and any outstanding obligations or liabilities of the Self-Insurers Administration Fund pass to the Self-Insurers Security Fund.
HB 1563, Warehouse Safety Task Force passed out of the House by a vote of 94-9-2. This bill creates the Warehouse Safety Standards Task Force Act to study warehouse safety standards. Provides for membership of the Task Force. Provides that the members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides that the Task Force must provide quarterly updates of its findings, discussions, and decisions to the Governor and the General Assembly and shall submit a final report of its recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than January 1, 2025.
HB 1780, Drug Takeback passed out of the Senate by a vote of 46-2-0. This bill provides that the Act may be cited as the Drug Take-Back Act. Provides that each covered manufacturer must, beginning January 1, 2024 (rather than no later than July 1, 2022) or 6 months after becoming a covered manufacturer, individually or collectively implement (rather than participate in) an approved drug take-back program. Requires a drug take-back program to provide for the collection, transportation, and disposal of covered drugs. Provides that specified requirements shall be undertaken by a drug take-back program or a covered manufacturer (rather than a manufacturer program operator). Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to provide a 30-day public comment period on drug take-back program proposals and revised proposals during specified 90-day periods. Provides that the reason for the Agency's rejection of a drug take-back program proposal must be provided in the written notification to the manufacturer program operator.
HB 2775, Real Estate Source of Income passed out of the Senate by a vote of 30-17-0. This bill declares that it is the public policy of the State to prevent discrimination based on source of income in real estate transactions. Defines "source of income" as the lawful manner by which an individual supports himself or herself and his or her dependents. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for various people to participate in specified discriminatory actions related to real estate transactions because of an individual's source of income.
HB 2910, Discount Prices passed out of the Senate by a vote of 53-0-0 and has now passed both chambers. This bill provides that, if a grocery store or a supermarket shows the price of an item on a screen or other display at the point of sale, and the item is being sold at a discount to the regular price, the display must show both the regular price and the discounted price when the price of the item is first displayed on the screen, rather than delaying the showing of the discounted price until the total price of all items is displayed, with specified exceptions. Provides that a person or retail mercantile establishment shall not be fined in excess of $500 per year for violations under the Act.
HB 3220, BEP "Good Faith Effort" passed out of the House by a vote of 69-38-4. This bill amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Defines "good faith effort" for purposes of the Act. Provides factors for determining whether a good faith effort has been made for purposes of granting a waiver under the Act. Provides for a uniform standard of contract goals for State agencies, public institutions of higher education, and other departments. Specifies further requirements concerning the uniform standard of contract goals. Provides that the terms of every contract entered into by a State agency or public institution of higher education for purposes of the Act shall include a provision requiring vendors who fail to comply with a utilization plan to return all funds paid to that vendor with an expectation of compliance. Provides that the Business Enterprise Council may (rather than shall) grant a waiver under specified circumstances. Provides that the Secretary of the Business Enterprise Council for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities shall have the duty to establish an enforcement procedure whereby the Council may recommend to the appropriate State legal officer that the State exercise its legal remedies which shall include, among other legal remedies, the imposition of a penalty in the amount of the discrepancy between the commitment contained in a utilization plan, as such amount may be amended over the term of the contract, and the qualifying payments made to the eligible certified vendors listed in the utilization plan. Specifies further requirements concerning exemptions and requests for waivers from specified requirements under the Act.
HB 4251, Bidding passed out of the Senate by a vote of 52-1-0 and has now passed both chambers. This bill provides that contracts for construction work whose estimated cost will exceed $30,000 (rather than $20,000) for township waterworks and sewerage systems shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder.
HB 4271, INS Coverage passed out of the Senate by a vote of 53-0-0. This bill provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 (rather than January 1, 2023) shall provide coverage for medically necessary breast reduction surgery.
HB 4433, Insurance passed out of the Senate by a vote of 56-0-0 and has now passed both houses. This bill amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. In provisions concerning a requirement that a health care plan shall apply any third-party payments, financial assistance, discount, product vouchers, or any other reduction in out-of-pocket expenses made by or on behalf of an insured for prescription drugs toward a covered individual's deductible, copay, cost-sharing responsibility, or out-of-pocket maximum associated with the individual's health insurance, provides that if application of that requirement would result in ineligibility of a health savings account under federal law, the requirement applies to health savings account-qualified high deductible health plans with respect to the deductible of a plan after the enrollee has satisfied a specified minimum deductible, except with respect to specified items or services, in which case the requirement applies regardless of whether the minimum deductible has been satisfied.
HB 4338, INS Coverage passed out of the Senate by a vote of 55-0-0. This bill provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall provide coverage for prenatal vitamins when prescribed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under the Nurse Practice Act (rather than only a physician).
HB 4410, Real Estate passed out of the Senate by a vote of 55-0-0. This bill creates the Real Estate Valuation Task Force Act.
HB 4595, 340B/PBM passed out of the Senate by a vote of 55-0-0. This bill provides that a contract between a pharmacy benefit manager or third-party payer and a 340B entity or 340B pharmacy shall not contain specified provisions. Provides that a violation by a pharmacy benefit manager constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance, and that a provision that violates the prohibition on certain provisions in a contract between a pharmacy benefit manager or a third-party payer and a 340B entity that is entered into, amended, or renewed after July 1, 2022 shall be void and unenforceable. In provisions concerning pharmacy benefit managers, provides that the provisions apply to contracts entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2022 (rather than July 1, 2020). In provisions concerning pharmacy benefits, provides that a Medicaid managed care organization or pharmacy benefit manager administering or managing benefits on behalf of a Medicaid managed organization shall not include specified provisions in a contract with a 340B entity or 340B pharmacy. Provides that a provision that violates the prohibition on certain provisions in a contract between a Medicaid managed care organization or its pharmacy benefit manager and a 340B entity entered into, amended, or renewed after July 1, 2022 shall be void and unenforceable.
HB 4604, Employee Health/Safety passed out of the Senate by a vote of 56-0-0. This bill amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act. In provisions concerning discrimination against employees, provides that a person may not discharge or in any way discriminate against an employee because the employee has reported potential violations of the Act to a member of management with authority to address the concerns (rather than discussed health or safety concerns with a co-worker or authorized employee representative) .Amends the Equal Pay Act. In provisions concerning equal pay registration certificate requirements, provides that the term "business" means any private employer who has 100 or more employees (rather than more than 100 employees) in the State of Illinois and is required to file an Annual Employer Information Report EEO-1 with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Makes the changes made to the Equal Pay Act of 2003 effective immediately.
HB 4703, Insurance/Billing passed out of the Senate by a vote of 55-0-0 and has now passed both chambers. This bill provides that when an insured receives emergency services or covered ancillary services from a nonparticipating provider or a nonparticipating facility, the health insurance issuer shall ensure that cost-sharing requirements are applied as though the services had been received from a participating provider or facility, and that the insured or any group policyholder or plan sponsor shall not be liable to or billed by the health insurance issuer, the nonparticipating provider, or the facility beyond the cost-sharing amount. Provides that a beneficiary who receives care at a participating health care facility shall not be required to search for participating providers under certain circumstances. Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Provides that prior authorization or approval by the plan shall not be required for post-stabilization services that constitute emergency services. Amends the Health Maintenance Organization Act and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act to provide that health maintenance organizations and voluntary health services plans are subject to provisions of the Illinois Insurance Code concerning billing and cost sharing. In provisions concerning cost sharing for emergency services and cost sharing for non-emergency services, provides that if the cost sharing for the same item or service furnished by a participating provider would have been a flat-dollar copayment, that amount shall be the cost-sharing amount unless the provider has billed a lesser total amount. Provides that upon receipt of the provider's bill or facility's bill, the health insurance issuer shall provide the nonparticipating provider or the facility with a written explanation of benefits (rather than the health insurance issuer shall provide the nonparticipating provider or the facility with a written explanation of benefits).
HB 4818, PFAS Incineration passed out of the Senate by a vote of 56-0-0. This bill provides that the disposal by incineration of any Toxic Release Inventory Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances including, but not limited to, aqueous film forming foam, is prohibited. Provides the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency with rulemaking authority. Provides that nothing in the amendatory provisions applies to (i) the combustion of landfill gas from the decomposition of waste that may contain PFAS at a permitted sanitary landfill or (ii) the combustion of landfill gas in a landfill gas recovery facility that is located at a sanitary landfill (rather than providing that, if a rule or regulation is published by the USEPA in the Federal Register regarding all or part of the subjects of the amendatory provisions, one year after its publication the rule or regulation shall be controlling over the provisions of the amendatory provisions and any part of the amendatory provisions conflicting therewith shall be inoperative). Provides that "incineration" does not include thermal oxidizers when they are operated as a pollution control or resource recovery device at a facility that is using perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances or chemicals containing perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances. Specifies that the prohibition on the disposal of TRI-PFAS by incineration does not apply to the incineration of waste at a permitted hospital, medical, and infectious waste incinerator that meets the requirements of specified federal provisions or the Board-adopted State Plan requirements for hospital, medical, and infectious waste incinerators, as applicable, or to the incineration of sludges, biosolids, or other solids or by-products generated at or by a municipal wastewater treatment plant or facility.
HB 4922, Nurse Anesthetist passed out of the Senate by a vote of 56-0-0 and has now passed both houses. This bill provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may issue a certified registered nurse anesthetist license to an advanced practice registered nurse who does not have a graduate degree, applies for licensure before July 1, 2028 (instead of July 1, 2023), and submits the other required information to the Department.
HB 4929, Optometric/Vaccines passed out of the Senate by a vote of 56-0-0 and has now passed both cahmbers. This bill provides that a licensed optometrist may independently administer the COVID-19 vaccine upon completion of the required training.
HB 5576, Regulatory passed out of the Senate by a vote of 55-0-0 and has now passed both houses. This bill provides that the State shall not regulate a profession, occupation, industry, business or trade in a manner that will unreasonably and adversely affect either the competitive market or equitable access to quality jobs and economic opportunities (rather than the competitive market). Adds a requirement that the Office of Management and Budget's study on the performance of regulatory agencies shall include in its report an analysis of whether the agency or program restricts a profession, occupation, business, industry or trade any more than is necessary to protect the public health, safety or welfare from significant and discernible harm or damage. Provides that the Office of Management and Budget's study can examine the termination, modification, or continuation of a regulatory agency or program.
HB 5585, INS Coverage passed out of the Senate by a vote of 55-0-0 and has now passed both chambers. This bill provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 shall provide coverage for access to home health services for the duration of medically necessary care.
SB 145, Physician Assistants passed out of the House by a vote of 103-0-0 and has now passed both houses. This bill amends the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987. Provides that the collaborating physician shall file with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation notice of employment, discharge, or collaboration with a physician assistant within 60 days (rather than at the time) of employment, discharge, or assumption of collaboration with a physician assistant. Provides that nothing in the provisions shall prevent a physician assistant from beginning his or her employment before the notice of employment or collaboration has been filed.
SB 645, Sick Leave passed out of the House 77-25-0. This bill amends the Employee Sick Leave Act. Provides that the rights afforded under the Act serve as the minimum standard in a negotiated collective bargaining agreement.
SB 1097, Manufactured Homes passed out of the House by a vote of 111-0-0. This bill amends the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act. Provides that if a formula is used in a disclosure of information on a 3-year rent increase projection, the formula shall include the total fixed amount determined by the formula, and, if applicable, the "not to exceed" amount. Requires a park owner to disclose in writing with every lease or sale and upon renewal of a lease of a mobile home or lot in a mobile home park or manufactured home community: the contact information of the legal entity that owns the manufactured home community or mobile home park or the contact information of the property manager or designated agent for the manufactured home community or mobile home park (rather than the name of the legal entity and either the name, address, and telephone number of the property manager or designated agent or the address and telephone number of the legal entity); and information notifying the tenant that the tenant's right to trial by jury shall not be waived. Restricts a park owner from charging or imposing a pet fee upon a resident that owns the home, unless a service related to the pet is offered by the park owner and accepted by the resident.
SB 1099, Lawsuit Lending passed out of the House by a vote of 67-42-2. This bill creates the Consumer Legal Funding Act. Sets forth provisions concerning consumer legal funding contract requirements, right of rescission, and consumer legal funding company prohibitions. The Chamber has concerns with this legislation regarding a lack of required disclosure of contract to defendants so that all parties are dealing with same information and a cap on interest rates.
SB 1146, Diesel passed out of the Senate by a vote of 56-0-0. This bill amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Makes changes concerning the exemption for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and biodiesel blends. Provides that the exemption is permanent. Changes the percentage of biodiesel that is required for the biodiesel blend to qualify for the exemption. Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Provides that a distributor who has a blender permit may blend petroleum-based diesel fuel with biodiesel and sell the blended or unblended product on any premises owned and operated by the dealer or distributor for the purpose of supporting or facilitating the retail sale of motor fuel. Provides that a refiner or supplier of petroleum-based diesel fuel or biodiesel shall not refuse to sell or transport to a distributor who is properly licensed and permitted as a blender any petroleum-based diesel fuel or biodiesel based on the distributor's or dealer's intent to use that product for blending.
SB 1233, Transportation Commission passed out of the House by a vote of 110-0-0 and has now passed both houses. This bill creates the Blue-Ribbon Commission on Transportation Infrastructure and Policy. Provides that the Commission shall report a summary of its activities and produce a final report of its data, findings, and recommendations to the General Assembly by January 31, 2023.
SB 1693, Industrial Biotechnology passed out of the House Revenue Committee by a vote of 17-0-0. This bill creates the Illinois Industrial Biotechnology Partnership Act. Establishes the Industrial Biotechnology Public-Private Partnership as a State-sponsored board consisting of specified members to promote and market Illinois as a destination for research, development, and commercialization for industrial biotechnology. Provides for the appointment of members to the Partnership. Provides that members shall be appointed within 90 days (instead of 30 days) after the effective date of the Act. Provides that the Partnership shall develop and direct efforts to attract companies to use existing Illinois facilities for research, development, and pre-commercialization activities. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, or a non-profit organization designated by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, shall provide administrative and other support to the Partnership (instead of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity alone). Provides that the Partnership is dissolved on December 31, 2025. Provides that certain grant programs created in the engrossed bill are subject to appropriation.
SB 2940, Electric Motorcycles passed out of the House by a vote of 105-0-0. This bill amends the Electric Vehicle Act and the Electric Vehicle Rebate Act to delete language providing that "electric vehicle" does not include electric motorcycles. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2022, each person shall be eligible to apply for a $1,500 rebate for the purchase of an electric vehicle that is an electric motorcycle.
SB 2963, Life Insurance passed the House by a vote of 103-0-0 and has now passed both chambers. This bill amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that if active employment is a condition of a policy of group life insurance, in order to be delivered in the State the policy must contain provisions that state that continued coverage for specified active employees will remain in effect until the earliest of specified dates, and specified obligations of the replacing carrier may be limited to the amount for which the employee was covered under the prior carrier's group life insurance policy and may be reduced by any amounts payable under the prior carrier's group life insurance policy.
SB 2981, Design Build passed out of the House by a vote of 111-0-1. This bill creates the Innovations for Transportation Infrastructure Act. Contains a statement of legislative policy. Adds provisions governing: authorization of project delivery methods; preconditions to commencement of procurement; procurement; evaluation and selection of proposals; project records; confidentiality; public disclosure; design-build contracts; construction manager/general contractor contracts; funding and financing; minority, disadvantaged, and women-owned businesses; labor agreements; acquisition of property; federal requirements; powers of the Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority; and rulemaking gives Illinois a design-build construction option. Adds a provision requiring the implementation of a disadvantaged business enterprise program to include minority-owned and women-owned businesses and disadvantaged businesses when applicable under federal law. Adds provisions establishing a disadvantaged business enterprise liaison.
SB 2984, Youth Entrepreneur passed out of the House by a vote of 108-0-0. This bill modifies requirements concerning entrepreneurship assistance centers to include assistance to youth entrepreneurs.
SB 3005, EV Taskforce passed out of the House by a vote of 108-3-0. This bill provides that the Electric Vehicle Permitting Task Force shall include one member representing a statewide organization of municipalities as authorized under specified provisions of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the Task Force shall include one member from an association representing automobile manufacturers. Provides that the Task Force shall include one member of a labor organization that represents workers in the auto industry and one member representing the component parts manufacturing community.
SB 3032, Student Debt passed out of the House by a vote of 74-33-1. This bill creates the Student Debt Assistance Act. Prohibits an institution of higher education from refusing to provide an unofficial transcript to a current or former student on the grounds that the student owes a debt; conditioning the provision of an unofficial transcript on the payment of a debt, other than a fee charged to provide the transcript; or charging a higher fee for obtaining an unofficial transcript or providing less favorable treatment of a request for an unofficial transcript because a current or former student owes a debt. Provides that an institution of higher education (1) must provide an official transcript of a current or former student to a current or potential employer, even if the current or former student owes a debt; (2) may not condition the provision of an official transcript to a current or potential employer on the payment of a debt, other than a fee charged to provide the transcript; and (3) may not charge a higher fee for transferring an official transcript to a current or potential employer or provide less favorable treatment for such a request because a current or former student owes a debt. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, requires every institution of higher education to have a policy instituting a financial or physical hardship withdrawal process.
SB 3120, Bereavement Leave passed out of the House by a vote of 114-0-0. This bill amends the Child Bereavement Leave Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Family Bereavement Leave Act. Provides that all employees shall be entitled to use a maximum of 2 weeks (10 work days) of unpaid bereavement leave to be absent from work due to (i) a miscarriage; (ii) an unsuccessful round of intrauterine insemination or of an assisted reproductive technology procedure; (iii) a failed adoption match or an adoption that is not finalized because it is contested by another party; (iv) a failed surrogacy agreement; (v) a diagnosis that negatively impacts pregnancy or fertility; or (vi) a stillbirth. Provides that the employer may not require that the employee identify which category of event the leave pertains to as a condition of exercising rights under the Act.
SB 3146, One Day Rest in Seven passed out of the House by a vote 69-44-1. This bill provides that an employee who works in excess of 7 1/2 continuous hours shall be entitled to an additional 20-minute meal period for every additional 4 1/2 continuous hours worked. Provides that every employer covered by the Act shall post and keep posted, in one or more conspicuous places on the premises of the employer where notices to employees are customarily posted, a notice, to be provided by the Director of Labor, summarizing the requirements of the Act and information pertaining to the filing of a complaint. Provides that the Director of Labor shall provide copies of summaries and rules to employers upon request without charge. Provides that an employer with employees who do not regularly report to a physical workplace, and instead work remotely or travel for work, shall also provide the notice by email to its employees or on a website, regularly used by the employer to communicate work-related information. Provides that any employer who violates specified provisions of the Act shall be subject to a civil penalty. Provides that for an employer with fewer than 25 employees, the civil penalty shall not exceed $250 per offense, payable to the Department of Labor, and damages of up to $250 per offense, payable to the employee or employees affected. Provides that for an employer with 25 or more employees, the civil penalty shall not exceed $500 per offense, payable to the Department, and damages of up to $500 per offense, payable to the employee or employees affected.
SB 3179, GIS passed out of the House by a vote 114-0-0. This bill creates the Illinois Center for Geographic Information Act. Creates the Illinois Center for Geographic Information within the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois. Provides that the Center shall evaluate proposals, in consultation with an Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, and make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on the efficient development, use, and funding of geographic information management technology for State, regional, local, and academic agencies and institutions.
SB 3613, Hydrogen Energy Task Force passed out of the House by a vote of 114-0-0. This bill creates the Hydrogen Economy Act. Creates the Hydrogen Economy Task Force. Provides for membership of the Task Force. Provides that members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides for meetings of the Task Force. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall provide administrative support to the Task Force. Provides for duties of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1 of each year on its activities, findings, and recommendations. Adds three members to the Hydrogen Economy Task Force: one member representing a non-profit energy research organization, appointed by the Governor; one representative of a trade association representing the investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities and power generation companies in the State of Illinois, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and one representative of a trade association representing wind and solar electric generators, renewable transmission companies, appointed by the President of the Senate.
SB 3625, Design-Build Sunset passed out of the House by a vote of 113-0-0 and has now passed both chambers. This bill amends the Design-Build Procurement Act. Extends the repeal of the Act from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2027.
SB 3633, Demolition passed out of the House by a vote of 105-2-0 and has now passed both chambers. This bill provides that counties and municipalities must maintain documentation submitted from a contractor (rather than just maintain documentation) on the disposal of specified demolition debris, clean or general, or uncontaminated soil during the demolition, repair, or enclosure of a building for a period of 3 years identifying the hauler, generator, place of origin of the debris or soil, the weight or volume of the debris or soil, and the location, owner, and operator of the facility where the debris or soil was transferred, disposed, recycled, or treated.
SB 3819, Pediatric Palliative Care passed out of the House by a vote of 109-0-0 and has now passed both chambers. This bill provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 (rather than after the effective date of the amendatory Act) shall provide coverage for community-based pediatric palliative care and hospice care and that the care shall be delivered to any qualifying child with a serious illness by a trained interdisciplinary team that allows a child to receive community-based pediatric palliative and hospice care while continuing to pursue curative treatment and disease-directed therapies for the qualifying illness.
SB 3838, Farmers' Market passed out of the House by a vote of 108-0-1 and has now passed both chambers. This bill provides that a farmer who engages in the sale of specified products shall obtain a Farmers' Market Permit from each local health department of any unit of local government in which a sale takes place and that chooses to require a Farmers' Market Permit. Contains specified requirements that may apply to the permit. Provides that a Farmers' Market Permit shall be valid for one year. Provides that a fee for a limited egg Farmers' Market Permit shall not exceed $75 and a fee for a full Farmers' Market Permit shall not exceed $175. Provides that the fee limits shall be raised by 10% at specified times. Contains procedural requirements for creating, setting, or amending the fee required for a Farmers' Market Permit.
SB 3905, Wastewater Study passed out of the House by a vote of 107-0-0 and has now passed both houses. This bill creates the Municipal Water and Wastewater Funding Study Committee.
SB 3930, Bordering Communities passed out of the House by a vote of 73-30-0 and has now passed both chambers. This bill amends the Illinois Home Grown Business Opportunity Act. Provides for additional contents of the economic plan to assist businesses and municipalities located geographically close to bordering states as developed by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Provides that the Department shall create the Border Community COVID-19 Mitigation Grant Program. Provides that grants shall only be provided to businesses and municipalities located geographically close to bordering states.
SB 3939, Cybersecurity passed out of the House by a vote of 108-0-0. This bill requires a local government official or employee to be chosen to act as the primary point of contact for local cybersecurity issues. Amends the Illinois Information Security Improvement Act. Requires the Secretary of Innovation and Technology to establish a cybersecurity liaison program to advise and assist units of local government concerning specified cybersecurity issues. Provides for cybersecurity training for employees of counties, municipalities. Provides that State agencies are prohibited from purchasing any products that, due to cybersecurity risks, are prohibited for purchase by federal agencies pursuant to a United States Department of Homeland Security Binding Operational Directive.
SB 4018, Pharmacies passed out of the House by a vote of 104-1-0. This bill provides that the Pharmacy Practice Act is repealed on January 1, 2028 (instead of January 1, 2023). Provides that a registered pharmacy technician may be delegated to perform any task within the practice of pharmacy if specifically trained for that task except for final prescription verification except where a registered certified pharmacy technician verifies a prescription dispensed by another pharmacy technician using technology-assisted medication verification. Removes a provision that provides that additional licensure rules may provide for a reasonable annual fee, not to exceed $20, to fund the cost of recordkeeping. Provides that if a pharmacy temporarily closes for more than 72 hours, it is the duty of the pharmacist in charge and the owner of such pharmacy to report to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation within 72 hours of temporary closure. Provides that the citation the Department may issue to any licensee for any violation of the Act or the rules shall not exceed $3,000 (instead of $1,000). Provides that nothing shall prohibit an individual employee licensed as a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or student pharmacist (rather than only licensed as a pharmacist) from accessing the employer pharmacy's database from a home (rather than a pharmacist's home) or other remote location or pharmacist's home verification (rather than home verification) for the purpose of performing certain prescription processing functions, provided that the pharmacy establishes controls to protect the privacy and security of confidential records.
View the Chamber's full 102nd GA Key Bills List here.
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Weekly GAP Call
The Chamber will host a Government Affairs Professionals (GAP) call on Monday, April 4th at 3:00 pm. We will provide you the latest updates on what legislation we are watching. Call in information is provided below.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Or call in (audio only)
Phone Conference ID: 463 563 254#
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Seminar: Avoiding the Wrong Buyers in Export - Understanding denied parties and Vetting your Importers
Alex Sonifrank, Affinity and Partnerships Manager at the American World Trade Chamber of Commerce, has worked to vet registrations against their global trade platform for issuing trade documents and worked directly with US exporters experiencing challenges and risks in the global market. The AWTCC is focused on expanding US trade internationally.
When: Thursday, April 7, 2022 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM CDT
Registration for this online event can be found here.
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If you have questions about the Government Affairs Report, contact Clark Kaericher at ckaericher@ilchamber.org. Do not reply to this email.
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